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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 25-Jul-2010
25-Jul-10 News -- Fighting continues in Darfur

Web Log - July, 2010

25-Jul-10 News -- Fighting continues in Darfur

Sudan's president Bashir thumbs his node at Darfur genocide charges

The humanitarian crisis in Darfur continues

The war in Darfur has been an interesting study for Generational Dynamics. The war began in the 1970s, but the world only discovered it in 2004. In 2005, the UN announced that it wasn't a genocide, because they didn't want to deal their obligations once that determination had been made. However, the United States DID officially call it a genocide. After that, movie stars were constantly flying over there. Activists were demanding that the U.S. military get involved and stop the war -- as if that were possible, and as if the two wars we're fighting weren't enough. (See "Jesse Jackson calls for sending American troops to Darfur" and "Senator Joe Biden wants to move troops from Iraq to Darfur civil war.")

In February of this year, Sudan's president Omar Al Bashir announced that the Darfur war was over, even though there was still fighting going on. (See "27-Feb-10 News - War in Darfur may be starting again.")

Recent reports indicate that the fighting between the rebel group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan army has been increasing, according to AFP, although other rebel groups are are indicating a willingness to agree to at least a temporary ceasefire, according to Bernama.

A detailed analysis of the humanitarian situation by Eric Reeves appeared in the Sudan Tribune (Part 1 and Part 2).

There are 2.7 million refugees living in tents, entirely dependent on international food aid. As the fighting continues, the number of refugees is still growing, and camps are overcrowded, according to the articles.

From the point of view of Generational Dynamics, this is a generational crisis war that has not yet reached a climax. Those 2.7 million people are extremely vulnerable to army attacks and to starvation if the international aid is suddenly disrupted. This war is far from over.

Sudan's president Bashir thumbs his nose at International Criminal Court

Sudan and neighboring countries. Sudan has three major regions: Northern Sudan, Southern Sudan, and Darfur (Western Sudan)

Sudan and neighboring countries. Sudan has three major regions: Northern Sudan, Southern Sudan, and Darfur (Western Sudan)

The UN's handling of the situation in Darfur since 2004 has been mostly a stage show, and every stage show has to name a villain. In this case, the UN has named Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir as the individual to blame for the genocide in Darfur. In particular, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants in March of last year for Bashir, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

On Friday, Bashir returned home to Khartoum from a summit meeting in Chad, declaring a victory, according to the AFP. The victory is that Chad is a member of the ICC, but still refused to arrest Bashir and turn him in to the ICC during his Chad visit.

An adviser to Bashir is quoted as saying, "This summit... shows African solidarity and it also exposes the ICC and its agenda and it also exposes the agenda of some European countries and the United States in particular. We praise our relations with Chad very much. We have made very clear in previous occasions that we cannot see an end to the problem in Darfur without fixing the relationship with Chad. It is a victory in the profound sense of the word (and) we are happy,"

The "agenda" that the adviser referred to is the claim that the ICC only targets African nations. The ICC is currently handling 5 cases, all African: Uganda, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) , Darfur and Kenya.

The West has been outraged at Chad's refusal to arrest Bashir. The BBC quotes Human Rights Watch as saying, "Chad risks the shameful distinction of being the first ICC member state to harbour a suspected war criminal from the court." Amnesty International also called on Chad not to shield Mr Bashir and said the visit was an opportunity for justice.

But Chad's ambassador responded, "We are with the rule of law and everybody has to pay for his mistakes and for any crime he commits but when it will be selectively and targeting only African leaders it should not be accepted."

The African Union (AU) is holding a summit in Uganda on Sunday, and Reuters reports that the AU will advise its member states not to cooperate with the ICC. "(The AU) reiterates its decision that AU member states shall not cooperate with the ICC in the arrest and surrender of President Bashir," according to the draft resolution.

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 25-Jul-10 News -- Fighting continues in Darfur thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (25-Jul-2010) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 25-Jul-2010 25-Jul-10 News -- Fighting continues in Darfur

The humanitarian crisis in Darfur continues

Sudan's president Bashir thumbs his nose at International Criminal Court

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 25-Jul-2010
25-Jul-10 News -- Fighting continues in Darfur